Anyone ever repaint their Nintendo Red Tent?

nesjess

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If so, what route did you go? Spray paint? Powder coating?

For the black parts, it would be fairly simple to just use black glossy high-quality enamel spray paint. The same kind I use for my marquee brackets on my DK-style cabs.

However, for the red parts, I'm having trouble finding a textured or hammered finished bright red spray paint that is the same red.

I'm thinking about getting a quote from a local powder coating shop, but I heard it can be pricey for large pieces.

If it's too much trouble, I may just leave the red parts as is and live with the minor paint chips.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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i would like to know also. my gf bought me a red tent for xmas and once it gets warm enough, i want to repaint the bad parts. i had already planned on regular old spray paint for the black but the red im not sure.
 
Funny, I'm painting one in the next week or so. I will post results here for you guys.
 
I am also interested in this as i am going to repaint mine this summer.
 
What do you plan on doing when you paint it?
not entirely sure. I haven't put a lot of thought into it but I have 2 red tents sitting here. one is going to be a complete restore and the other is in need of a little bodywork and paint. I can afford to take a risk with it so I will post here as I figure it out. You guys will probably pick up some pointers from my screw ups.
 
Your best results are going to be from Powder Coating.

Thanks, yeah, I would assume that this is a given, but I'm also factoring in cost. $20-30 on spray paint for a fairly good result is much more affordable than however much a powder coating shop would charge to do about 4-5 large parts. I've heard they charge however much they can fit in one batch which would be 2-3 I'm guessing. I have to check it out and get a quote maybe, but I can guarantee it will be much more expensive. Like the saying goes "You get what you pay for."
 
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Thanks, yeah, I would assume that this is a given, but I'm also factoring in cost. $20-30 on spray paint for a fairly good result is much more affordable than however much a powder coating shop would charge to do about 4-5 large parts. I've heard they charge however much they can fit in one batch which would be 2-3 I'm guessing. I have to check it out and get a quote maybe, but I can guarantee it will be much more expensive. Like the saying goes "You get what you pay for."

It's not as expensive as you think.

http://www.arcaderestoration.com/index.asp?OPT=3&DATA=100&CBT=4

YMMV on the price as it depends on location and a few other factors. I'm sure others who have had stuff powder coated will chime in.

The difference between spraying and powder coating is night and day.
 
It's not as expensive as you think.

http://www.arcaderestoration.com/index.asp?OPT=3&DATA=100&CBT=4

YMMV on the price as it depends on location and a few other factors. I'm sure others who have had stuff powder coated will chime in.

The difference between spraying and powder coating is night and day.

Yeah, I read that article though I wonder if it varies by location. Again, I'd have to get a quote. I sure hope you're right. That would save me a lot of trouble having to sand, prime, paint, etc. And I'm sure it would look pristine.
 
Reposted from another thread:

Man Phet, you are among the elite in restoring cabs. It looks great!

Sorry to go a bit off topic from your Berzerk restore, but any tips on repainting a red tent? The best solution other than powder coating (I heard it's not as costly as it seems, but I would have to get a quote) I've received is to use a hammered finished primer and then paint over that with the color-matched red. Sounds like a pretty lofty goal, but I think I could make it happen.

It would work, but I wouldn't bother. You'll never get an even looking finish with rattle cans on metal. Just strip both hoods and have the sandblasted and powder coated. You'll have to have the dents (if there are any) removed either before or after the sandblasting. I never restored mine, and I really should. The black chassis/body of mine needs some serious attention, as there is rust forming where the hoods meet it. I assume kids spilling sodas, beers, etc caused a lot of moisture and acid to pool up in those areas.

You called it.

I do have a couple of dents around the edges. How would I get that done? Do powder coating shops remove dents as well? I'm assuming they are the ones that sandblast before the powder coating process?

Same for me. I have rusting where the hoods meet the black parts. Going to need to repaint them as well. I'm wondering if I should even bother or just leave it "original" and just clean it up. If you end up doing yours, be sure to post your results.

Get a quote or two for powder coating. It will look nice and they will remove all the rust so it doesn't come back. Post some pics of the dented areas... you may be able to pound them out with some care.
 
Your best results are going to be from Powder Coating.

I agree.

It is definitely possible to get a nice smooth, even coat with spray paint but you have to paint it just right and there is a process to getting it nice.

Nothing is as durable and fool proof as power coating.
 
I will also chime in with, Powder Coating isn't as expensive as one might think. Obviously every shop is going to be different and there are different prices for different colors. As I have said before if you are just going straight satin black let the shop know you aren't in a hurry and that you can wait until they are shooting more black to throw it in with that batch. Black powder coating is pretty damn common and in my case I had to wait two or three days. I had all of the metal on my Atari Cocktail coated for 45 dollars, granted that isn't as much metal as a Nintendo would have but still get a quote. I just realized you aren't that far, I get my stuff done in Stockton but there are some reasonable places in Richmond and I would bet there are some in Livermore too. Maybe even look at Tracy.
 
I will also chime in with, Powder Coating isn't as expensive as one might think. Obviously every shop is going to be different and there are different prices for different colors. As I have said before if you are just going straight satin black let the shop know you aren't in a hurry and that you can wait until they are shooting more black to throw it in with that batch. Black powder coating is pretty damn common and in my case I had to wait two or three days. I had all of the metal on my Atari Cocktail coated for 45 dollars, granted that isn't as much metal as a Nintendo would have but still get a quote. I just realized you aren't that far, I get my stuff done in Stockton but there are some reasonable places in Richmond and I would bet there are some in Livermore too. Maybe even look at Tracy.

Thanks for the input. Wow, you go all the way to Stockon from SF to get powder coating done? Which place?

I looked on yelp and this place seems pretty legit. I have to find more places to get quotes, but this is a start:
http://maasbrothersinc.com/
 
Yeah, I am originally from Stockton and my parents still live there. I use Precision Stripping & Coating, 209-333-1212. And actually it is in Lodi. The place you posted seems pretty legit and obviously they have the capability to do large stuff so that will probably be a good place to start.
 
for wood or metal

USE latex paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lowes price: One Quart $9.00

please DO NOT use any type of spray paint in a can, its cheap and looks VERY cheap...

So please dont make your arcade machine look like shit,,, USE LATEX paint and make it look like a million bucks!

I use ONLY use brand: valspar - Latex Enamel - interior/exterior for wood, metal & more - soap & water clean up

For anything black use GLOSS BLACK
For Nintendo Red Tents use GLOSS CHERRY

If repainting a Nintendo VS cab or any other cab that isnt black, goto lowes or home depo and check out the color swatches, find one that matches the color your painting, then pick up a can of Valspar Latex Enamel GLOSS WHITE and tell the person at the counter that you want them to mix this can to match the color you picked out...

Also I have found the best way of repainting is to fill any cracks/holes/chips with any type of wood filler (i use elmers brand) let it dry then use sand paper to make shure it is smooth. Then sand out any deep scratches and use wood filler if needed.

Now its time to paint! What i do is use a paint brush for hard to reach places, gaps, holes, edges, anywhere the roller wont reach.. Then i use a roller, roll it in my tray and only use it to roll one small spot. One common mistake is alot of people will use one roller dip to paint most of the side they are painting, this is a very big mistake because that will only give you a very thin coat of paint.. You want a nice think coat because thicker looks better when dry. Also you want to make shure you go in the same direction on each side. I go up & Down, but i know people who go Left & Right, its up to you...

Well guys thats how you re-paint a Arcade Cab the RIGHT way....
If you follow my directions yoour cab will looks like a million bucks!


Added:
-Also if your changing colors from one color to a diffrent color then its a pretty good idea to use a primer, Valspar sells a nice primer also in the same location as you will find the latex paint..
 
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lol at painting a red tent with a roller. pass me some of what you're smoking
 
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